The president of the Central African Republic has fled the country's capital and rebels have seized control of the city, a government official said Sunday.

President Francois Bozize crossed into the Democratic Republic of Congo, said Jules Gautier Ngbapo, a spokesman for the government's territorial administration minister. He declined to disclose Bozize's location Sunday.

"Central Africans are waiting for the new president to be named," Ngbapo said in a written statement.

Word of Bozize's surprise departure came as violence erupted in the capital, Bangui. Witnesses reported hours of gunfire, and Ngbapo said at least seven civilians were killed as rebels and local residents looted shops.

"While the departure from Bangui of President Bozize is confirmed, I call on all the parties to exercise the greatest restraint," French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said in a statement, calling on French citizens in the area to remain at home.

Culturally endemic. Anything is an excuse to do it. Win the NBA championship, loot the city. One black guy gets beaten up, loot the city. Bored on a Sunday afternoon and feel you haven’t been given enough, flash mob and loot the city. State Fair closing for the night? Flash mob and loot the nearby businesses and the people leaving.

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